Western cyclone., 1887-10-28
SILLY BILLY.
BY A. D. BAILIE.

ana unVarylng goOd nature, IN all
things that he could see to do.
All were kind to him, save Walter
Black. "Black Walt" as the towns
men called him. Rich and tyrannical,
he delighted in torture Of every de-
fenseleSS creature within his reach.
Billy Shrunk from him with the in
Stinct which causes animals to avoid
some men, and Black Walt resented
this undisguised aversion by bitter
hatred of the idiot.
No one knew who Silly Billy was.
There had Teen a terrible collision on
the railroad near the town; woman,
English in her look and dress, had
been instantly killed; her boy, appar-
entity ten years of age, suffered injur-
les in the head that rendered him more
than weak minded, and the kind peO-
pie of Norville took him under their
charge, and there he remained.
He feared nothing on earth but the
railroad. That he would not approach; +;
he would close his eyes with his hands
ard roll upon the ground in agony at
the sound Of locomotive or its Whis-
tie, and if he caught sight Of q passing
train, would shake his fists, stamp,
dance and chatter in parOxysm of
rage.
Ever since Alice Hanley, as little
cherub Of three years, had placed her
chubby hand in his, and smiled with
childlike confidence as she ordered him
with baby lisp, to "take me up and
carry me home," he had been a willing
slave.
Now Billy was over 25 and Alice,
sweet, gentle girl Of II, much sought
belle.
Among others who yielded to her
charms was Walter Black, and in his
love he exhibited all the intensity and
unreasonableness Of his fiery, uncon-
trollable nature. Billy had a room in
the coach house Of Mr.. Hanley, and
night and day he was on watch over
the home Of his young mistress. He
did not fail to exhibit his disgust and
dislike whenever he saw Black visit
the lady, ana the would-be wooer's
hatred increased proportionately.
Black Walt, nor none O. the youth
Of the neighborhood T. ed to be
the prince to win Miss Alice; gal
liant young civil engineer, who came
to change the line Of the railroad and
was invited to make his home, during
his stay, with Mr. Hanley, made
speedy conquest OF the maiden's heart
He was worthy Of it, even Billy recog-
nized the fact, and, in his own way,
signified his own approval.
submitted with good grace to their i'll
fortune, all but Black Walt, and he
swore, not loud, but deep, that if he
could not have Alice Hanley to wife
no other man should live to enjoy that
blessing.
In few months there was a we'd
ding; Alice, the beautiful bride, was
favorite with all, and the crowd, the
crush, the fuss, and the style was
such as Norville had never before wit
messed.
After the reception and dinner at
the house of her parents, the young
couple prepared to start on the un-
evitable and necessary bridal tour.
AS they passed through the doorway
to the waiting station, mile away,
Alice espied Billy, misery in every
feature, standing alone on the out
skirts of the waiting throng.
''Stop, Charles" she said to her huS-
band, Il must say good-by to Billy,
my faithful knight" and leaving her
husband she approached the poor
natural" and spoke few kind
words of farewell and cheer with him,
gave him a rose from the small boquet
she carried, and left him proud, happy,
yet miserable, and with tears stream
ing down his face.
Billy did not follow the many who
fastened to the station to see the
last of the bridal pair. He could not
conquer his aversion to the rails and
trains, and the, to him, internal engine
with its demonlac yell.
But as time passed and all but him
had gone, the temptation to catch one
last glance, if possible, of the face he
loved so well was too strong for him.
He knew a secluded nook hardly ever
visited, near a sharp curve on the
road, which Alice had been given to
frequent the last few months to wave
salute 10 her lover as he passed on
the train to his daily duties
With his wits sharpened by love
and desire. Billy argued that she
would be sure to look out the car
window as she was carried past this
point; short cut would take him
there quickly. He resolved to go, and
started on run. AS he drew near
the line, however, his steps slackened
as the nervous dread grew upon him,
until at last it was with many halts
and slow dragging steps he approached
through the trees and came in sight of
the hated rails.
But he came to quick halt, held
his breath, and, with the cunning of
many in like manner afflicted, he step
pea behind great tree to watch
what?